Police: It's legal to kill turkey-attacking dog

YORK, Maine — If a neighbor's dog gets into my pen and kills one of my turkeys, can I shoot the dog?

Elizabeth Dinan

YORK, Maine — If a neighbor's dog gets into my pen and kills one of my turkeys, can I shoot the dog?

Town police said yes when asked that question earlier this month, but emphasized that residents should use "due care."

The same holds true in Portsmouth, N.H.

York police were called Aug. 16 by a Fall Mill Extension resident who reported that a turkey kept in a pen on her property had been killed by a dog. According to the town's public police log, the resident specifically asked if she could shoot the dog if it entered her pen again, and if not, what were her options.

"You also have to use due care if there are houses around," said the sergeant. "There can be ricochets, and you don't want to shoot at a dog, but have it ricochet and hit a child."

Finley said in spite of law allowing the killing of predatory animals, he does "not want to advocate shooting a gun anyplace."

Similarly, Portsmouth Police Lt. Rodney McQuate said it is against city ordinance to discharge a firearm anywhere in the city. However, "if you're protecting your own property, you have the right to do that."

"If anything is attacking your home, you have the right to protect your life and property," he said, but also emphasized caution and due care.

Both police officers urged residents to resist the urge to start shooting and instead call police or their animal control officers.

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